Long work hours for pilots justified: HC

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by pilots’ associations challenging the Director General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) move to implement 1992 rules with longer working hours instead of the newly-framed 2007 regulations. Holding that the DGCA was empowered to issue necessary directions, justices RMS Khandeparkar and Amjad Sayed upheld DGCA’s decision to put in abeyance the 2007 Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) and revert to the 1992 Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC).
“Records disclose that the concerned authority, after taking into consideration the pros and cons, the safety of passengers and interests of pilots, giving due consideration to the representation made by petitioners, decided to suspend 2007 CAR and to avoid confusion, sought to revert to 1992 AIC,” the HC held.
Joint Action Committee of Airlines Pilots and other associations had moved court alleging that the decision to revert to the ’92 rules was taken on the diktat of the government and was aimed at increasing airlines’ profits at the cost of safety. The HC held that since the ’92 AIC had been in force for over 15 years, there was no substance in their grievance. The India Pilots’ Guild, a co-petitioner, had filed a petition opposing the 2007 CAR claiming that it deviated from international safety norms.
15/08/08 Anshika Misra/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2008, Safety Aug 2008